Laphroaig 10yo (43%, OB, +/-2009) versus Laphroaig 10yo (40%, OB, +/-2007)

The 10yo as available in the USA and bottled at 43% ABV (in many markets the standard 10 year old is bottled at 40%). What does a few more percentage points reveal? Is it the 7% solution? (This last bit was a Sherlock Holmes reference).

The 43% nose is deeply peated and backed by some really good unsweetened cocoa followed by some heather and brine notes.

A quick nose of the 2007 40% bottling for comparison shows the aromas to be much more vegetal and sharper; perhaps with even a little green thrown in (think of barley & cut grass). These notes settle down after a while in the glass however the aromas of the two are distinctively different.

Additionally the nose of the 2009 43% is sweeter, shows more assertive peat smoke and a bit more cocoa and brine. It is bigger and more appealing.

The taste on the 43% is filled with delicious peat smoke, malt, cocoa, brine and hints of peanut butter.

The 2007 40% is evidently weaker in the mouth, still very good, thinner mouth feel but still show lots of flavour; the peat smoke and malt.

The 2009 43% finish is warming, full, smokey and long. Again brine, some really good sweetness and more peat characteristics; coal smoke and seaweed.

The 2007 40% finish is very much less but still shows a good finish with the vegetal creeping in towards the end.

Conclusion.The 2009 43% is the better single malt by a point or two. It would be instructive to review a 40% and a 43% from the same year. The 40% sample was purchased in Canada.

WI understands batch variation may be playing a part however experience gained over many years has shown the 43% to be slightly better.

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